Composer Stephen Schwartz Cancels Kennedy Center Appearance Over Trump Name Change

Controversial Decision in the Cultural World

The composer of the musical Wicked, Stephen Schwartz, has announced that he will no longer appear at the Kennedy Center after its board voted to include President Donald Trump’s name in the institution's title. Schwartz stated in a statement that his participation in the cultural center "has now become an ideological statement," adding: "As long as this remains the reality, I will no longer perform here."

In response, Richard Grenell, the president of the Kennedy Center, wrote on platform X that reports of Schwartz withdrawing from a scheduled gala in May are "completely false" and that the composer had never been confirmed to participate. Schwartz, known for his Oscar and Grammy awards, is the latest artist to decide to step back from collaborating with this major cultural institution due to recent changes.

Additionally, Schwartz mentioned that at the end of 2024, the artistic director of the Washington National Opera contacted him to participate in an event scheduled for May. Although he initially agreed, he noted that he received scant information starting in February and assumed the event was no longer happening. Following a press call, he learned that the gala had been announced on the Kennedy Center's website, from where the information of his participation was later removed.

"The Kennedy Center was founded to be a non-political space for free artistic expression, regardless of nationality or ideology. It is no longer apolitical, and participation here has become an ideological statement," added the 77-year-old Schwartz.

Earlier this week, two musical groups canceled scheduled appearances at the Kennedy Center. The Cookers, a veteran jazz band, announced that they canceled two New Year's shows. Although they did not mention the institution's new name in their statement, they said the decision was made "very quickly." Another group, Doug Varone and Dancers, declared they would not support two performances in April due to the name change, adding: "We cannot afford to enter this once-great institution."

In light of these withdrawals, Grenell characterized the decisions as "a form of disturbed syndrome." Previously, jazz percussionist Chuck Redd also canceled a Christmas concert he had been holding annually since 2006 at the Kennedy Center in response to the name change, which Grenell described as a "political stunt" and threatened to seek $1 million in damages.